Can your job survive a recession?
Like sea levels and waistlines, the economy follows a natural cycle: it booms, dips, and rises again. But while “recession” is a tough word to hear – we typically associate it with reduced spending, job losses, and rising unemployment – some positions and industries are essential for the day-to-day functioning of society, remaining stable even in challenging economic times. Read on to discover if your industry makes the list of recession-proof jobs.
What are recession-proof jobs?
A recession is when the economy shrinks for several months or more. Certain jobs remain in high demand during such periods, no matter how the economy is doing. These are known as recession-proof jobs.
Recession-proof jobs usually fall into two categories: essential roles, like those in healthcare and food services, and positions in industries less impacted by economic fluctuations, like cybersecurity.
Which industries are the most recession-proof?
In the UK, many industries are considered to be more recession-proof due to their essential nature and consistent demand.
Historically, the top 10 recession-proof industries include:
Healthcare
Utilities (electricity, water, gas)
Grocery and consumer staples
Education
Public services and government jobs
IT, cybersecurity and software development
Waste management and recycling
Logistics and delivery services
Insurance
Legal services
Ultimately, the best job to have during a recession is one that remains essential to the country, its people, and its economy. These roles provide stability and security even in challenging times, as they're crucial for maintaining society's health, safety, and daily functioning.
100+ recession-proof jobs
While we can't predict the future, here are 100+ recession-proof jobs most likely to offer financial and job security in an economic decline:
Healthcare professionals
Healthcare roles like nurses, doctors, and pharmacists are consistently in demand, regardless of economic conditions. Additionally, support staff who ensure hospitals and medical facilities operate efficiently enjoy stable job security during recessions.
Many of these positions require higher and further education and specialised qualifications, so they're more challenging to attain. But if you put in the work, you can be rewarded with a more stable career.
Here are some of those recession-proof healthcare jobs:
Nurse
Doctor
Surgeon
Pharmacist
Physical therapist
Occupational therapist
Social worker
Healthcare assistant
Support worker
Care assistant
Mental health counsellor
Hospital administrator
Health information manager
Emergency services
The demand for emergency services, such as the fire brigade and ambulance service, remains unchanged during economic ups and downs.
These services are essential regardless of the economy's state, which means many jobs will still be required in a recession.
Here are the jobs in emergency services that are essential for society:
Paramedics
Emergency medical technician (EMT)
Firefighter
Control room operator
Emergency dispatcher
Ambulance care assistant
Emergency planning and resilience officer
Search and rescue (SAR) technician
Emergency response team (ERT)
Logistics coordinator
Maintenance and repair technician
Law enforcement
Community safety is crucial in any circumstance, making police officers and support staff indispensable. While the link between economic downturns and crime varies – some types decrease, others increase – law enforcement remains vital. These roles typically offer stable job security even during tough economic times.
Vital, recession-proof jobs in law enforcement include:
Police officer
Criminal investigator
Highway patrol officer
Correction officer
Probation officer
Emergency dispatcher
Police record clerk
Police community support officer (PCSO)
Traffic warden
Custody officer
Crime prevention officer
Victim support officer
Education
Public-sector roles fare better than private-sector ones in economic downturns.
Education is indispensable even during recessions, ensuring continued demand for primary, secondary, higher education, and adult education professionals like teachers, professors, and school administrators.
As learning methods evolve with distance and online education, educators remain crucial for society's functioning and adaptation.
Essential, recession-proof jobs in education include:
Teachers
College lecturer
School administrator
Teaching assistant
Special education teacher
Caretaker
Librarian
E-learning and distance learning coordinator
Utility services
Energy, water, and waste management services are essential for our cities' functioning.
Workers in these roles enjoy job security during tough economic times. While nothing is guaranteed, utility services rank high among essential jobs, crucial for maintaining community operations, even in recessions.
Here are the safest jobs in utility services during a recession:
Power plant operator
Electrical engineer
Grid operator
Renewable energy technician
Water treatment plant operator
Water quality analyst
Plumber
Waste collection worker
Environmental technician
Recycling coordinator
Telecom engineer
Network technician
Customer service representative
Civil Service and government jobs
Civil Service jobs encompass a range of vital functions, including healthcare, education, law enforcement, and social services. These sectors provide critical support that our society relies on regardless of the economy.
Government budgets typically prioritise essential services even during economic decline, ensuring funding stability for public sector jobs. This stability supports job security for government employees.
Safe Civil Service jobs include:
Data engineer, Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency
User researcher, Department for Work and Pensions
DevOps engineer, Companies House
IT software developer, Health and Safety Executive
Policy manager, Department of Health and Social Care
Correspondence manager, Department for Business and Trade
Administrative officer, Animal and Plant Health Agency
Caterer, HM Prison & Probation Service
Business support advisor, Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency
Publications officer, Ministry of Justice
Nursery manager, Royal Botanic Gardens Kew
Customer service officer, Valuation Office Agency
For more information on Civil Service jobs, visit Civil Service Careers.
Financial services
While not all roles in the financial services sector are recession-proof, specific facts remain clear. Tax season, for instance, ensures a continuous demand for accountants, auditors, and tax agents even during economic downturns.
Additionally, banking staff are essential for handling financial transactions, contributing to job security in this sector. While each economic situation varies, financial services generally offer robust job stability amid uncertainties.
Here are some recession-proof jobs in finance:
Accountant
Auditor
Bank teller
Loan officer
Financial analyst
Insurance agent and broker
Risk manager
Compliance officer
Portfolio manager
Actuary
IT, cybersecurity, and software development
IT systems and infrastructure form the backbone of businesses and government operations, making jobs in this industry exceptionally resilient during economic downturns.
Digital transformation continues unabated, driving sustained demand for skilled professionals who innovate and deploy technology solutions.
In recessionary times, companies prioritise efficiency and cost savings through automation and digitalisation, further bolstering job security in tech and making IT services or consultancies one of the recession-proof businesses out there.
Recession-proof IT jobs include:
Network administrator
Systems administrator
IT support specialist
Software developer
Cloud engineer
Data analyst
Data scientist
IT project manager
AI/Machine learning specialist
DevOps engineer
Legal services
Legal services are a vital player regardless of economic status. During economic downturns, governments often heighten regulatory measures to stabilise markets and safeguard consumers, amplifying the demand for legal expertise.
Moreover, recessions typically create various legal challenges, such as employment disputes, debt recovery, insolvency proceedings, and bankruptcies.
As an essential service, here are the legal jobs that are likely to offer stability during a recession:
Corporate lawyer
Litigation lawyer
Employer lawyer
Insolvency practitioner
Commercial property lawyer
Financial services lawyer
Paralegal
Legal secretary
Legal assistant
Court clerk
Law firm administrator
What are the most vulnerable jobs during a recession?
While there's no absolute certainty about which jobs are safe or vulnerable during a downturn, some trends indicate which roles are among the worst jobs during a recession. They typically include those in:
Retail
Hospitality and tourism
Real estate
Automotive industry
Advertising and marketing
HR
Construction
Manufacturing
Luxury goods and services
Entertainment and events
While these industries are most vulnerable during an economic decline, this doesn't mean that jobs are definitely at risk. Some employers may let go of staff, but other options may also be available, such as reducing employee benefits, reducing income, and implementing a hiring freeze.
By recognising vulnerable areas, you can better prepare and adapt to minimise the impact of recessions on your employment and career.
Essential recession-proof skills to safeguard your career
If your job could be affected by a recession, it's wise to start expanding your skill set now to safeguard your career or, at the very least, your source of income and benefits. Here are the top recession-proof skills to consider developing:
Soft skills
Essential recession-proof soft skills include:
Communication
Time management
Critical thinking
Creativity
Leadership
Conflict resolution
Adaptability
Motivation and a positive mindset
Teamwork
Dependability
Organisation
Problem-solving
Hard skills
Crucial recession-proof hard skills include:
Healthcare: Medical terminology and procedures, patient care and clinical skills, electronic health records
Education: Curriculum development, classroom management, assessment, and evaluation
IT: Programming languages, database management, systems administration
Cybersecurity: Network security, incident response, security auditing and compliance
Utilities (electricity, water, and gas): Safety and compliance, maintenance and repair, electrical, plumbing, or gas distribution technical skills
Telecommunications: Telecommunications technologies, network administration, wireless communication
How to develop recession-proof skills and thrive
Growing your recession-proof skill set requires strategically enhancing your capabilities in high-demand areas across industries. Here are some steps to follow to help thrive in any economic climate:
Assess your current skill set
Take stock of your strengths and areas for improvement. Consider both hard, technical skills and soft skills. While soft skills are transferable across industries, hard skills are often industry-specific and may require adaptation for different fields.
Identify high-demand skills
Research industries and jobs that often remain stable during an economic decline, and find those that align with your interests and current skill set. Online job boards, industry reports, and attending industry-specific events or webinars are valuable sources for gathering information.
If you're considering a complete career change, visit the National Careers Service to explore the skills and qualifications required for different roles. Don't forget to update your knowledge on writing a compelling CV tailored to your new career path.
Invest in professional development
Enrol in online courses, workshops, or webinars to enhance your skill set. Platforms like Coursera, LinkedIn Learning, and Udemy offer a range of paid and free courses that can boost hard and soft skills.
Network and seek mentorship
Connect with professionals in your desired field to gain insight into the skills in demand. Consider finding a mentor who can offer guidance, help you brainstorm recession-proof career ideas, and identify opportunities to bridge any skills gaps.
Gain practical experience
Once you've developed your new skills, put them into practice through personal projects, volunteering, or freelance work. Practical experience reinforces your abilities and provides tangible examples of your proficiency for your CV, supporting your readiness especially should you decide to change careers and secure yourself one of those recession-proof jobs.
If an economic downturn has you searching for a job, ensure your CV is at its best. Submit it for a free CV review today to increase your chances of an interview.
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